Kapitel 7: Spotlight#5: Lookism vs Odd Girls Out
Have you ever thought that two very different stories were similar? If you do, this special spotlight will shine even brighter as I compare and contrast at face value two phenomenal webtoons: Lookism and Odd girls out by Tae-joon Park and Morangg! Though before we begin let be known for simplicity's sake, I will be referring to both webtoons by their initials (i.e., L and OGO).
Summary
L version
Lookism follows the story of Daniel Park, a short, fat, unattractive loser who regularly got picked on at his school by the venomous bully Logan Lee. With Daniel's constant humiliation getting worse and worse by the day, his mother decided to use what little money that she had left to send him to a new school to live by himself. Along the way to Jae Wong HIigh, however, he suddenly discovers for himself a new body! But this wasn't any old somebody, nobody, give a dog a bone. It was a perfect one, fast, strong and most of all: hot! Now armed with the ability to freely change between the two bodies, Daniel is ready and willing to start his new life in Seoul! All the while doing everything he can to make it up to his mother, who sacrificed so much. Along with new friends, enemies, and plenty of adventure, Daniel will not only need to learn how to balance the bodies but also realize the true definition of Lookism.
OGO version
Odd girl out follows the story of young high school girl Nari Oh formerly a short, fat, unattractive loser who regularly got picked on by certain bullies around her. With Nari's constant humiliation getting worse and worse by the day, she decided that she would go on a diet, and unlike 99% of us, she committed to it evolving into a beautiful girl as she went to her new school. Along the way, however, she discovered that she had inadvertently become friends with the three most popular girls in school, becoming: the Odd Girl Out!
Characters
L version
Fun fact: some of the characters in the series are based on lots of South Korean idol.
Lookism overall has one the best cast in Webtoon with only Noblesse to me being able to compare (Note: I think Noblesse has the second-best cast in Webtoon). But overall, I will give my thoughts.
Daniel Park: Daniel is overall a naive, courageous, and overall compassionate boy Daniel is a very intriguing character. One of the best overall characteristics of Daniel in my mind is even with such immense power and prior experience; he still uses his body for relatively good purposes. His main arc throughout the series is one of growing up with Daniel's confidence and drive for self-improvement growing as the story goes on.
Zack Lee: Starting as a simple punk who only loved his childhood friend, Mira zack wasn't the most liked person in school. However, after meeting Daniel, Zack soon becomes the most improved character on the show. While on the surface, he is a temperamental, dedicated, arrogant thug he soon becomes far more diplomatic and honorable in his resolve.
Euantee Lee/Vasco: My favorite character in the show personally Vasco is the leader/ founder of the Jae Wong High's Architecture department A.K.A the Burn knuckles. Vasco is essentially a little kid in a teenagers body. While he is not the sharpest tool in the shed, he does have an incredible sense of right and wrong with the strength and stubborn nature to back it up. Vasco may be humorously dumb, his strength and devotion of his fellow friends have inspired many to join the burn knuckles and spread the message of defending the weak.
OGO version
Nari Oh: despite being a blunt, warm-hearted girl, Nari has an inferiority complex about her beauty and so feels awkward around the other girls. Nari has a very relatable and down to earth glue that holds the group together.
Mirae Seo: A cheerful girl who loves a good joke Mirae often hides sadness with a smile.
Seonji Lim: A dumb girl with a heart of gold Seonji is humble and kind with unparalleled loyalty to others.
Yuna Kim: An absolute ice queen to the core Yuna is a prideful person who finds it hard to open up with anyone but Nari. While her pride often gets her into more trouble than anything else, she is starting to move past it.
Overview/Good stuff
L version
Lookism is very much like a fireworks show, fast, loud, and very intense and it's art reflects that very much. Since it's as much a comedy as it is an action story, much of the series will have blurred or more primal expressions to exemplify intense emotion or a comedic moment. Also, as I said before, the series has an incredible cast that all works off each other greatly. Despite its inclination of lol random humor, Lookism can also be very brutal and over the top in its action and violence. It is also surprisingly knowledgeable about the topics that I'll explain later.
OGO version
Odd girls out is a very simple and kind of soft webtoon. Its art is pretty basic all things considered, which perfectly fits it's very laid back nature and comedic nature. Many of its chapters are much more relatable next to Lookism's outrageous tone. It also has an overall smaller cast to focus as a way to build its main characters with a lot of its drama coming from how our characters are not the perfect little angels as they're made out to be.
Why?
The reason why I did this whole compare and contrast thing in the first place was that I have never seen two stories so vastly different yet similar. Both webtoons have a pretty basic message on not judging a book by its cover or not taking things at face value. However, the execution and expansion of the concepts are what keeps it interesting. Lookism, as I said before, is vastly over the top, but the whole "looks aren't everything" lesson is taken often pretty straight and to the point. However, it also deals with a lot of darker themes in the story. We not only see themes such as fame over morality and appearance over talent; it also gives us the lives of prisoners, runaways, and the homeless. And as long this story sticks with its message of self-improvement sticks, I can't help but see it get better with age as it tackles the unfairness of the world head on.
Odd girl out is, however, far more relatable and calmer with its messages, but it doesn't mean that the messages themselves aren't any less critical. Odd girls out show that not only everyone is as perfect as it seems and how to handle your relationships best. It also talks about the themes of cyberbullying, PTSD, and jealousy. The webtoon is very fun to read every time, and I only hope for more in the future.
Epilogue
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this different spotlight, and next time you guys look in the mirror, I hope you like what you see. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to reflect a little bit to see where the spotlights take next.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein